-= TECHNICAL GUIDE =-
for rec.arts.comics.reviews
Version 2000.02, last updated February 12, 2000
Copyright 1995-2000 by Katharine E. Hahn
SEND ADDITIONS / CHANGES / DEAD LINKS / MOVED LINKS / UPDATES TO:
Kate the Short, racmx@yahoo.com (mailto:racmx@yahoo.com)
Subject: Table of Contents
Purpose / Charter * Keywords * Posting Problems
Crossposting Criteria * Examples * Credits
Subject: Purpose / Charter
The purpose of this newsgroup is to review comic books, comic strips,
political cartoon compilations, comic-review publications, and the
like. It is not meant as a discussion forum, nor as a place to
advertise comics and related publications. Newly-issued single comics
are what you'll see most of, but that does not mean that those are the
*only* materials which may be posted here. Other products that are
considered reviewable include:
Comics books, strips, political cartoons, and their compilations;
Movie/TV/prose adaptations of comic-book characters and stories;
Biographies or histories of characters, pros, and the industry;
rec.arts.comics.creative "issues" or "titles"; Industry-related
publications and magazines; Subscription companies and services;
Archival/collecting materials; Cataloguing software; and
Comics conventions
Things that are NOT reviews will be considered off-topic in this group.
Advertisements, large binaries, SPAM, general announcements, and
discussion and followup posts are not permitted and will be rejected.
If a post begins with "Re: " then it is treated as a followup and will
be returned. Additionally, reviews of things that aren't on-topic for
rec.arts.comics.reviews will be returned.
Subject: Keywords
Posts are most quickly posted if they follow a basic Subject Keyword
format. Right now there are three standard Keywords that the bot looks
for, as well as checking the newsgroups line: CAPSULES:, REVIEW:, and
PREVIEW. Other subject-line keywords may be arranged with the moderator.
For example, here's the suggested Subject line format for a review:
REVIEW: TITLE #nnn (any other information the author includes)
REVIEW: SUPERMAN #800 Quick Picks reviews
It's nice to put the review/column title last and the comic title first,
because then all of the SUPERMAN #800 reviews can be listed in
alphabetical order on a newsreader.
Please note that it's best to give *some* hint of which titles you're
discussing in your review; don't just say "Mark's Reviews 11-2000".
When you follow up to a review, delete the stuff you aren't directly
commenting on, including the other person's .sig file. Place your
response after each section you're commenting on, instead of at the very
top or very bottom of the post. Leave white space after each paragraph.
That makes it easier to understand what you're responding to, and makes
your posts and responses a lot easier to read. Make sure that your
followups are only going to the newsgroups where the reviewed book or
product would be discussed. Thanks.
Subject: Posting Problems
Every once in a while, you'll have a review which seems to get lost in
the system. This happens for a variety of reasons.
First, rac.reviews is a moderated group. Reviews have to be approved so
we know that they aren't spam or mega-crossposts. Second, every once in
a while your server may have problems sending out messages. Check
Deja.com to see if your posts to other newsgroups have made it out.
As of December 7, 1999, the following robo-moderation script is in place:
1) If the posting has a Followup-To:-header (FUT-header) that points
anywhere but rec.arts.comics.reviews (racr), nothing is changed.
2) If the FUT-header points to racr and some other group, racr is
removed from the FUT-header.
3) If the FUT-header points solely to racr or is not there at all, the
robomod looks at the Newsgroups:-header.
3a) If the Newsgroups:-header points to racr and some other groups,
racr is removed and the FUT-header points to the other
groups. (Meaning: If you crosspost your review to racr,
rec.arts.comics.misc (racm) and rec.arts.comics.vertigo (racv),
the FUT-header will point to racm and racv.)
3b) If the Newsgroups:-header points solely to racr, the FUT-header
will point to racm.
If you have any questions about the moderation, please direct them to
the moderator, Peter B. Juul (mailto:racr-admin@enzym.rnd.uni-c.dk).
If you tried to post and cannot, either use a different account or post
a short, polite message to rec.arts.comics.misc asking if Peter's been
receiving any of your emails. For all we know, it could be his system
that's temporarily down...
Subject: Crossposting Criteria
If you will be crossposting your review to a non-rac.* newsgroup, like
rec.arts.books.reviews, rec.arts.movies.reviews, or rec.arts.sf.reviews,
*please* make sure that your review fits that newsgroup's review
criteria. Crossposting is fine, and is even encouraged, but please
make sure to read the FAQs of those groups so your reviews won't be
rejected.
Followups should be set to three or fewer discussion groups, either
within the r.a.c.* hierarchy or within other *appropriate* hierarchies,
not including the .reviews or .info newsgroups.
*** FAQ FOR REC.ARTS.BOOKS.REVIEWS
URL: ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/faqs/books/reviews-faq
An essential read for anyone interested in crossposting book reviews to
rec.arts.books.reviews (such as prose comics novels, coffee table
books, biographies, and the like).
*** WELCOME TO REC.ARTS.SF.REVIEWS
URL: ftp://net.bio.net/pub/misc/sf-reviews/
While I am not sure if this document is currently updated, its
Guidelines still stand. Individual issues of continuing comic books
ARE NOT subject matter for r.a.sf.r. "Series-within-series," or full
runs of such comics, are. Limited series (in whatever "format") ARE
appropriate subject matter for r.a.sf.r. The Subject line of r.a.sf.r
postings MUST include the title of the work and the creator's name.
*** Other Information
The current practice for posting movie reviews to rec.arts.movies.reviews
is to list the subject as REVIEW: TITLE (year); a quick glance at other
reviews in the newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews should provide all of
the information you need.
The current practice for posting Star Trek reviews to the newsgroup
rec.arts.startrek.reviews is to use these keywords: TOS for the Original
Series, TNG for Next Generation, DS9 for Deep Space Nine, and VOY for
Voyager. Comics would also have the keyword BOOK added to them, as in
REVIEW: [TOS BOOK] STAR TREK #6 or the like. Reading the newsgroup
rec.arts.startrek.reviews will give you more examples.
The rec.arts.sf.reviews and rec.arts.books.reviews newsgroups prefer
that bibliographic information be included in the addbib format
(available in UNIX or just type it) so that it can be easily accessed
from the archives. It can be appended to the bottom of a review post
as follows (an asterisk [*] denotes a required datum):
%H Header commentary, printed before reference
* %A Author's name (use a separate %A line for each)
* %T Title of article or book
* %B Anthology/collection title for individual stories/articles
%E Editor (of book or series)
* %I Issuer (publisher's name and imprint)
%C City (place of publication)
* %D Date of publication
* %G Government order number (use this for ISBN)
%P Page number(s) (use for page count)
%S Series title
%V Volume number
%O Comments/etc. (use for format/price, ordering info)
%J Journal containing article
%K Keywords
Subject: Examples
Here are some examples following the usual formats for the reviews.
Followups are set to the most appropriate rac.* newsgroup; you can add
other appropriate newsgroups as needed.
ACTION FIGURES:
Subject: REVIEW: Spawn action figure series
Item: Spawn action figure line
Also to: rec.arts.comics.other-media, rec.toys.action-figures,
alt.comics.image
Follows: rec.arts.comics.other-media
Include: Names of figures, manufacturer. Size of figures, accessories
included. Packaging, cost, etc.
BIOGRAPHIES:
Subject: REVIEW: COMIC BOOK HEROES, by John Jones
Item: Comic Book Heroes quasi-biography
Also to: rec.arts.comics.misc, rec.arts.books.reviews (mod),
rec.arts.books
Follows: rec.arts.comics.misc
Include: TITLE by author. Publisher, publisher address. Online
publisher contact info (if any). Whether it has photos,
illustrations, index, maps, notes, etc. Number of pages,
$cost and binding. ISBN number. etc.
CARTOONS:
Subject: REVIEW: X:TAS Dark Phoenix Saga
Item: X-Men Dark Phoenix Saga (Cartoon Version)
Also to: rec.arts.comics.other-media, rec.arts.animation, rec.arts.tv
Follows: rec.arts.comics.other-media
Include: Title, network/studio, airing time, video cost, voices, etc.
COMICS (SINGLE-ISSUE):
Subject: PREVIEW: Marvel's Star Trek Comics
Item: Star Trek comic book
Also to: rec.arts.comics.misc, rec.arts.startrek.reviews (mod)
rec.arts.startrek.misc
Follows: rec.arts.comics.misc
Include: Title, issue number, publisher, writers, artists, colorists,
editors, cost, pages, etc.
COMICS (ARC/MINISERIES):
Subject: REVIEW: STAR WARS DARK FORCES #1-4, by Marcus et al
Item: Star Wars miniseries
Also to: rec.arts.comics.misc, rec.arts.sf.starwars.misc,
rec.arts.sf.reviews (mod)
Follows: rec.arts.comics.misc
Include: TITLE, number of issues, publisher, writers, artists, colorists,
editors, cost, pages, etc.
COMICS (STRIP):
Subject: REVIEW: Mr. Boffo
Item: Mr. Boffo daily strip
Also to: rec.arts.comics.strips
Follows: rec.arts.comics.strips
Include: Title, writers, artists. Publisher/syndicate, frequency of
publication (daily/Sunday), etc.
COMICS (WEB):
Subject: REVIEW: Pat's Web Cartoon
Item: Pat's Web Cartoon
Also to: rec.arts.comics.misc
Follows: rec.arts.comics.misc
Include: Title, writers, artists. Site location. Size of comic.
How often it changes, etc.
COMPILATIONS:
Subject: REVIEW: BLOOM COUNTY: BABYLON, by Berke Breathed
Item: Bloom County: Babylon trade paperback
Also to: rec.arts.comics.strips, rec.arts.books.reviews (mod),
rec.arts.books
Follows: rec.arts.comics.strips
Include: TITLE by author. Publisher, publisher address. Online
publisher contact info (if any). Whether it has photos,
illustrations, index, maps, notes, etc. Number of pages,
$cost and binding. ISBN number. etc.
CONVENTIONS:
Subject: REVIEW: Wizard World Chicago Comicon
Item: Chicago Comics Convention
Also to: rec.arts.comics.misc, alt.comics.fandom
Follows: rec.arts.comics.misc, alt.comics.fandom
Include: Convention name, contact addresses and phone numbers, place
time and dates of event, daily/weekend pass rates, events
usually included. Available lodging and cost, available
parking and cost, availability of food, usual attendence
figures, etc.
CREATIVES:
Subject: REVIEW: LNH #6: Creative Critiques
Item: LNH rac.creative issues
Also to: rec.arts.comics.creative
Follows: rec.arts.comics.creative
Include: Title, writer, frequency of net.issues, archive location,
etc.
FANFICS:
Subject: REVIEW: Heroes Re-Reborn
Item: alt.comics.fan-fiction stories
Also to: alt.comics.fan-fiction, rec.arts.comics.marvel.universe
Follows: alt.comics.fan-fiction
Include: Title, writer, frequency of net.issues, number of chapters.
Archive location, etc.
MAGAZINES:
Subject: REVIEW: WIZARD Magazine
Item: WIZARD: The Guide to Comics
Also to: rec.arts.comics.misc
Follows: rec.arts.comics.misc
Include: Title, publisher, editors, size, single/yearly issue costs,
subscription info, usual columns/features, reliability, etc.
MAILING LISTS:
Subject: REVIEW: STRIPE Mailing List
Item: Stripe Mailing list
Also to: rec.arts.comics.marvel.xbooks, news.groups.reviews
Follows: rec.arts.comics.marvel.xbooks
Include: Name of list, request address, submission address, listowner.
Average traffic daily, approximate number of subscribers.
Web address, etc.
MANGA:
Subject: REVIEW: Oh My Goddess! Special
Item: Oh My Goddess! manga comic
Also to: rec.arts.manga
Follows: rec.arts.manga
Include: Title, issue number, publisher, writers, artists, colorists,
editors, cost, pages, etc.
MOVIES:
Subject: REVIEW: BATMAN AND ROBIN (1997)
Item: Batman and Robin movie
Also to: rec.arts.comics.other-media, rec.arts.movies.reviews (mod),
rec.arts.movies.current-films
Follows: rec.arts.comics.other-media
Include: TITLE, (year), MPAA rating, studio, running time, actors,
directors, writers, video cost, etc.
NOVELS:
Subject: REVIEW: WHAT SAVAGE BEAST, by Peter A. David
Item: Hulk novel
Also to: rec.arts.comics.other-media, rec.arts.comics.marvel.universe,
rec.arts.books.reviews (mod), rec.arts.books,
rec.arts.sf.reviews (mod), alt.fan.peter-david
Follows: rec.arts.comics.other-media, alt.fan.peter-david
Include: TITLE by author. Publisher, publisher address. Online
publisher contact info (if any). Whether it has photos,
illustrations, index, maps, notes, etc. Number of pages,
$cost and binding. ISBN number. etc.
SOFTWARE:
Subject: REVIEW: WIZARD AbleSoft Collecting Software
Item: Collecting Software
Also to: rec.arts.comics.misc, rec.arts.comics.marketplace
Follows: rec.arts.comics.misc, rec.arts.comics.marketplace
Include: Title, publisher, cost. System type and requirements.
Disks, manuals, other included materials. Possibility for
additions or upgrades, etc.
Subject: Credits
The Welcome Keeper would like to thank:
* Peter B. Juul, for moderating rac.reviews,
* Mike Chary, for contributing his Arrogant Guide to Reviewing,
* Aardy R. DeVarque for critiquing everything under the sun for me,
* and all the RAC'ers who made rac.* a welcome place to begin with.
--
Kate the Short * http://www.enteract.com/~katew/

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